Catching up with Reign FC news before the team’s preseason trip to Japan

It’s been a bit of a Sounders-heavy day, but Reign FC also opened preseason training camp Monday with some fitness tests at Starfire. Here are some news and notes as compiled the past few days through press releases and the team’s Facebook page:

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— First off, the team is taking off for Japan on Tuesday. Three preseason games are planned, including one Sunday against Homare Sawa and INAC Kobe Leonessa and one March 20 against Fukuoka J Anclas.

— Also, the team has been allowed by NWSL to have 21 players on the roster, instead of 20, since U.S. international Amy Rodriguez will miss the 2013 season while starting a family.

— The U.S. internationals are still pending contract resolution, but goalkeeper Hope Solo, midfielder Keelin Winters and Rodriguez will be added as soon as the deal is done with U.S. Soccer. Midfielder Megan Rapinoe won’t be added to the roster until early June, when she returns from her loan with France’s Lyon.

— The team has discovery claims on two more players, one of which is in preseason camp roster. Those names won’t be revealed. Same goes with the five to seven trialists with the team.

— As a recap, some of those not participating in preseason are Rodriguez (family), Solo (wrist surgery) and Rapinoe (on loan).

— Camp rosters must be cut down from 32 to 25 on March 18. Then on April 5 rosters are cut to 20-21.

— In some other notes, NWSL is like MLS in its single-entity nature, so players negotiate deals with the league. Most contracts are not guaranteed, meaning players can be cut midseason.

— The team has partnered with Issaquah Soccer Club to form a reserve team that will play in the WPSL season from May 1 to Aug. 1 against division teams from Washington and Oregon. According to a news release, Reign FC Reserves will “serve as an exclusive feeder team” and wear Reign FC jerseys (save for the NWSL logo). Reaction to the news in this post.

— Lastly, earlier this month, the team reached an agreement with ADO Den Haag to bring Noyola back to Reign FC on Thursday. The Mexican international, who won the 2011 Hermann Trophy, was previously set to be with the Dutch club through June 15.

First session done. Now we prepare for Japan! Exciting times @seattlereignfc